Digging is an instinctual behaviour, dogs have an exceptional sense of smell as well as hearing, so although we as humans cannot smell or hear a mole under the ground, your dog will and when he does his prey instinct will kick in and chances, are he will, yes you guessed it, he will dig to try and find it.
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While dogs dig, they engage all their senses, sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste.
Digging to a dog is occupational therapy, it gives the dog a purpose and it is enjoyable, he is doing his workout at the gym – exercising his muscles.
Your dog may be digging to bury a bone, this instinctual behaviour is to hide his food from other predators.
I once had a Bulldog who was behaving in the oddest way, she was almost ready to whelp, I had set up a special room for her, but she kept on going out into the garden and digging a hole under a bush, I was at my wits end as this dog had never, ever dug before. After phoning the vet I was told that the reason was that her puppies were about to make an appearance, and her instinct was to make a nest in the garden for them.
Heat can also play a major role in your dog’s behaviour, some dogs who do not have access to a cool floor inside, will dig a hole to get to the cooler earth, talk about instinct our dogs have it all.
Dealing with the problem digger:
Firstly, you will need to identify why the dog is digging, this will help to solve the problem.
The dog who has a strong prey drive and is digging for moles is perhaps one of the most difficult instinctual behaviours to correct. In a case of a dog with a strong prey drive, about the only method that will be effective is to eliminate the moles, do not use poison – there are humane ways to get moles out of your garden, please do not harm the moles.
Usually dogs who just dig for no apparent reason have too much energy, longer and more frequent walks as well as playing lots of games with him, will help, play fetch and when you walk try running or walking faster, a stroll is not enough exercise, you need to tire the dog out.
Hide some of his toys in the bush along the way, and ask him to find, using your dog’s nose will tire him out, scenting takes a lot energy.
If your dog is digging to hide his bone, consider constructing a small sandpit in a corner of the garden, encourage him to dig there, you dig with your hands and he will begin to dig as well, he will soon understand that he is pleasing you when he digs in the sandpit. A good idea is to bury a few treat parcels wrapped in newspaper in the sand pit, encourage him to find the treats – in this way you are not only keeping him from digging holes in the lawn, you are also giving him a task, once he uncovers the newspapers he will have a great time getting the treats out, ripping up the papers to eventually find the hidden treasure. Now you are occupying him in a fun way.
Never use punishment on your dog for digging:
If he has dug a hole in the garden and you do not catch him in the act, you cannot punish him as he does not associate the hole he has dug with the punishment. If you are able to catch him in the act – redirect his attention to another activity and reward him for choosing the alternative activity instead.
The important thing is to be observant of your dog’s behaviour, keep a close eye on him, if he begins to either paw or pounce on the ground, immediately redirect his attention to a game of fetch or any other suitable game of your choice.
Happy training to you all.
Remember it is all about – patience, supervision and observation above all occupying your dog. Like people dogs get bored and boredom leads to some very frustrating behaviours.
Yvonne Eland
ADIPCBM (UK) with distinction
Specialising in Canine Behaviour and Management
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